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We are constantly striving to find and stock the best equipment in established and new technologies.
From turntables, valve amplifiers & CD players to digital music streaming, multi-room systems and home cinema.

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£38,998.00

When it came time to create the Perseus phono preamp for our Performance line, we couldn't bear to depart from the design of the Orion Reference line phono pre.

inputs 3 stereo XLR & 3 stereo RCA

Outputs 1 stereo XLR, 1 stereo RCA

Gain, B & UB (Balanced & Unbalanced) 65db max

THD+N <.005% 10Hz - 20kHz

Frequency response +/-0.10db 10Hz - 20kHz

Output noise -100 dB re 2V output, 20 Hz to 20 kHz

Load impedance, MC inputs 0Ω to 500Ω

Load impedance, MM input 10KΩ to 100KΩ

Load capacitance, MM input 100 to 400 pF, selectable

Output impedance, B & UB < 50 ohm

EQ curve RIAA

Weight, phono preamp 35 lbs / 16 kg

Weight, power supply 22 lbs / 10 kg

Dimensions, phono preamp 17 x 5.5 x 15.75 in (whd)

43.2 x 14 x 40 cm (whd)

Dimensions, power supply 17 x 2.75 x 14.5 in (whd)

43.2 x 7 x 36.8 cm (whd)

When it came time to create the Perseus phono preamp for our Performance line, we couldn't bear to depart from the design of the Orion Reference line phono pre. After all, the Orion blended the best efforts of our “dream team”: the circuit wizardry of legendary engineer John Curl, the industrial design prowess of Alex Rasmussen at Neal Feay Company, and the engineering and manufacturing mastery of Peter Madnick. In the end, we decided not to change what works so well-thus, the Orion uses the same incomparable John Curl circuit, implemented in a way that is simpler and less expensive to manufacture.
Curl is revered by audiophiles as the world's greatest designer of phono preamps, having designed acclaimed phono pres for CTC, Mark Levinson, Parasound, SOTA, and Vendetta Research. In Constellation Audio products, his circuits receive greater care and more elaborate execution than any other manufacturer has ever offered.

The circuit board of the Perseus is built on a metal “raft” that floats on an elastomeric suspension, isolating the delicate circuits from outside vibrations. This is especially important in a phono preamp. Because of the low signal level coming from the phono cartridge, phono preamp circuits tend to microphonic; external vibrations can be amplified and become part of the audio signal. Thanks to the floating circuit board suspension, microphonics are practically eliminated.
More sonic improvements come from the machined aluminium chassis, which has a minimum wall thickness of 8.2mm-enough to block even the strong 50/60 Hz electromagnetic interference from household electrical circuits and appliances. The mass of the heavy metal enclosure also improves rejection of external vibration.

The separate power supply provides an R-core transformer for left- and right-channel analog circuits and an independent supply for the control circuitry. Analog circuits receive pure, clean DC power. As a result, noise drops to insignificant levels and all of the intricate details of the music are revealed. Hypertronics interface cables and connectors, originally designed for demanding aerospace applications, provide ample conduits for the power supply's clean, high-current output.
The Perseus can be tuned to optimize its performance for even the most exotic phono cartridges. Front-panel controls allow adjustment of source impedance and load capacitance for the ideal performance from any cartridge you choose. Impedance is continuously adjustable from 0 to 1000 ohms for moving-coil cartridges. For moving-magnet cartridges, the Perseus provides four impedance selections from 33 to 100 kilohms as well as five load capacitance options from 200 to 400 picofarads. Whether you decide to follow the cartridge manufacturer's recommendations or explore your own course, the Perseus has the versatility to get the best possible sound from your cartridge.

As appealing as the Perseus's design may sound in prose, its quality can be appreciated only when you hear it. We can't say it's the world's best phono preamp-that would be the Orion-but we think it's a clear second-best.

Fully complementary circuitry
The Perseus's balanced audio circuitry is essentially two mirror-imaged preamp circuits, one to amplify the positive half of the audio signal, the other to amplify the negative half. The fully balanced design cancels the effects of interference-an important capability considering the low level of the signals inside a phono preamp-and also increases slew rate and frequency response.
Mechanically isolated circuit board
The audio circuit board floats on an elastomeric suspension to isolate it from the effects of outside vibration. Consider it like a raft floating on a calm lake, protected from disturbances on shore.

Balanced and unbalanced inputs and outputs
Easily interfaces with any turntable and any preamplifier.

Three moving-coil inputs, one moving-magnet input
Ample inputs even for the most exotic triple-tonearm turntables.

Adjustable source impedance
The Perseus provides enough adjustment range to suit any cartridge manufacturer's specification or any personal taste. Source impedance for the moving-coil cartridge inputs is continuously adjustable from 3Ω to 500Ω, while source impedance for the moving-magnet cartridge input can be set to 33KΩ, Separate Power Supply47KΩ, 68KΩ or 100KΩ.

Adjustable load capacitance
The Perseus's load capacitance can be set from 200 to 400 pF in 50-pF increments to meet the needs of any moving-magnet phono cartridge.

Separate power supply
A separate power supply enclosure protects the sensitive analog audio circuits from interference. A high-quality R-core transformer feeds the analog audio circuitry while a separate supply feeds the Perseus's control circuitry. Hypersonics cables and connectors provide a reliable, high-current power transfer. The result is an ample and consistent supply of clean DC.

Constellation Audio

Constellation Audio was founded on the premise that one cannot create something extraordinary through slavish adherence to established methods. When tradition is the best path, we embrace it. When new technology is necessary to achieve the performance we want, we invent it. When we find a radical circuit topology that delivers a substantial advance in sound quality, we use it.

12th October 2019

T+A New Products HV Series

Expert staff from T+A and OXFORD AUDIO will demonstrate a range of systems. They will also be happy to advise on getting the very best sound from your own hi-fi and the maximum pleasure from your ...